Marking of Sandwich Terns with Radio-transmitters for the first time in Bulgaria

Seven adult specimens were caught by ornithological nets. This marking is a part of the scientific researches made for the birds of the big Tern colony nesting in Pomorie Lake. The aim of the research is to reveal the important places for this species in the Burgas Bay out of the nesting site in the lake. During the last 5 years the team of Green Balkans gained important experience and information by radio-telemetry researches made for raptors (vultures and eagles). The gained experience is extremely important for the successful and correct implementation of the current research for the Sandwich Terns.

Despite the minute radio-transmitters (weight of 2.9 g), the birds were also marked with two types of ornithological rings: standard metal rings of the Bulgarian Ornithological Center and coloured plastic rings allowing identification from a larger distance.

It is worthy to remind that the colony of Sandwich Terns of Pomorie Lake is nesting on artificial islands, built by the volunteers and personnel of Green Balkans and BTCV during the last 15 years. The settlement and growth of the colony is one of the biggest conservation successes in the work of the organization and nature conservation in Bulgaria as a whole. The numbers are more than indicative: 6 pairs in 1996, 450 pairs in 2003, 1500 pairs in 2009!
We hope that the current research will be of help for the conservation of the colony and great biodiversity of Pomorie Lake in the future!

For contacts and more inforamtion:
Dimitar Popov, tel.: 0885108712; e-mail: dpopov@greenbalkans.org
Doncho Kirov, tel.: 0888515662; e-mail: dkirov@greenbalkans.org
http://www.greenbalkans.org/pomoriecenter/

This activity was implemented within ”Urgent Measures for Restoration and Conservation of Species and Habitats of European Significance within Pomorie Lake Complex of Protected Natural Areas” project funded by the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union and the state budget of the Republic of Bulgaria through Operational Program “Environment” 2007-2013.